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ADDRESS, 



PEilVtRSD AT THE 

FREEMASON'S HALL, 



HALIFAX, 
Avcvst id, 1813. 



By WALTER > ite Book /» 
Utt Paymaster of the 23d regiment Welsh Fusiliers* 



ON THE DEPLORABLE STATE OF THE INDIANS 



HALIFAX, 
Anthony H. Holland, Printer. 



£1% 



PREFACE. 

To Hii Excellency Sir JOHN CO APE SHERBROOKE/Kniglrt 

of the Moft Honorable Order of the Bath, Lieutenant-Governo r 

*nd Commander in Chief in and over His Majeily's Province of 

Nov3- Scotia, and its Dependencies, &c. &c. &c. 

May it pie afe your Excellency. 

IT is cuftoraary with fome Authors when they meet with any 
vicious character that is not generally known* in order to prevent its 
doing mifchicf, to draw it at length, and fet it up as an example.; this 
Hot only rebukes the perfon to whom it belonge, but gives warning to 
others, that thty may not fuiter by it. 

So on the other hand when we find examples of religios and piety 
among the leading characters of our country, w^ are bound by every 
chriftian duty to h«ld them Hp as (iandards for others to follow, and to 
de-lare the glad tidings to all around. 

We rind in the Sacred Oracles that we are forbid to fpeak evil of 
Dignities, and mould we enter into the other extreme and iudulge in 
fiattery, wc know that in this imperfect ftate of nature, mankind are 
generally more or lefs affected by it? I therefore endeavour to avoid 
both aa much S3 pofiible — I may howevj^jobfer/ e that foon af er I 2* 
woke this morning, I opened my Bible du the XXIX Chapter of Pro- 
?5vbs, which is one of my favorite "Books, and at the begining of the 
zd verfe I found th«ie words, " when ihi righteous are in akihjrliy iht 
people rejoice." 

Well thought I if this he true, arid it certainly muft. mzy we not 
kope that thofe who are zeaiou? to promote every good work, will make 
the peoples' hearts rejoice,and I do fiiicere!y belLve that tne new fyftem 
-of Education for the youth of this country which yonr Excellency has 
fq warsily noticed will contribute in a gueat meafuie to that definable 
end, and prove a fource of infinitive happinefs to the Inhabitants of this 
Colony. And as your Excellency canp.ot but have obferved with a 
degree of fympathy the deplorable condition of the Indians of Nova- 
Scof.-a. and the adjacent Proving I am fure you will pardon any fee- 
ble effort of an old foldier whofe profeilicn has enabled him to make 
inch obfervations in his perigrinationg as may not be deemed un- 
worthy of your humane confideration. 

I have the honour to remain, 

with the mod grateful refpeel, 
Your Excellency's 

mod humble and devoted fervant, 

WALTER BROMLEY, 

A y r i *t d A A 0nth * Half Pay oj the Royal WeUh Fusiliers v 
IfalMK, 3N. h. ?d August, 1813. 



ADDRESS, 

On ths DepUralh Slate of the Inilmu 



IN addreffing this refpe&able audience, I cannot but fee! great dif* 
Sdence, particularly as many prefent are poficfLd of judgment, an4 
of talents, far fuperior to one who has devoted 23 year* of his life to 
the profefSon of arms, but the urgency of the cafe wh eh I prefix mc to 
offer to your consideration, is of fuch extraordinary importance, that 
the mature of it will I am fure plead the ft; oft; powerful excafe, ami 
fpeak more than ten thoufand arguments. 

Can any perfon prefent poffefled of common feelirg? view with indif- 
ference, the deplorable (late of the Indians of this Province t who witft* 
in the laft few yesrs, are reduced to the molt awfu' the mod horrible 
fta.te of human wretehednefH, chat the mind can poflibly pourtray, and 
which threatens nothing lefs than the total extinction of their nation. 

The progrtfs of their mifery has been fo rapid, and fo manifeft,that, 
even within the laft 3 or 4 >ears to my knowledge, they have degen- 
erated beyond all conception, even the young female;* who were former* 
ly remarkably circumfpec^ in their deportment, both as to temperances 
and inoffenfive manners, have become abandoned to a moft alarming 
degree, and appear to ha'ye loft all fenfe of fhame, fo much fo, that to 
enter into the detail would be jfhoeking to human delicacy, and fenfib?- 
lity, and will it be believed, that in tins enlightened age there are not 
a few of the refpccfcable Inhabitants who argue, that it all the fault 
of the Indians -;— but will pofterjty fay fo, will the impartial hHtoriaij 
proftitute his veracity to fueh opinions ; — no ! the truth muft be told; 
theBtitifh (et tiers of this colony will be rcgiftered with aCortes,anJ a 
P zaro, and I cannot without belying my conference draw a line of 
diih'n£tion between them, 'tis true many of the refpecYable inhabitants 
n{ Nova-Scotia, have exprefied fentiments of regret, that nothi ig has 
yet been attempted to reclaim and ame liorate the iituation ofthefe poor 
creatures, but they however have aUempted nothing, others complain 
and view their ftate, with an apathy that would difgrace the raolt bar- 
barous people upon earth, others there are, who openly infuh, and 
treat 1 hem worfe than the brute creation, and I can bear the ftronger| 
teftimony of tmsfaA, having heard fome of the peafantry of this coun- 
try declare in the moft undifgmfed manner, that they thought it no 
greater fin to fhoot an Indian, than a Bear or a Carraboo. 

9 Vh aifo true, thaf ma .y of the refpe&able Inhabitants of Nova- 
Djotia give HrMe or no offence to the poor I rid f* us, and have offered 
them temporary relief, and there are fome who to my knowledge never 
turn them from their doors without giviog fom«*thing, and I dare fa j 
sAuldl ws afeertaili the fi8t f mmy of the ancient Spaniard? did the fame-; 



5 

jpttt are they not alike implicated in j*tftofy with few exceptions in the 
deftrnAion of the inofFenfive Indians of South America.* 

We are told in the hiftory of Mexico and Peru that multitudes fefl 
by the fword and by fiavery, and fo have the Indians of North Arrcri- 
Oft fallen by a weapon far more deftvu&iye than the fw r i, which ths 
more temperate Spaniards of the fixteenth century, never ufed viz- ar- 
dent fpirits, and wh : ch if indulged in, are the mod efte&ual means of 
extirpating any nation. 

Many perfona have obferved that the ufe of fpirits among the Indi- 
ans cannot pofiibly be prevented, and that all endeavours to reclaim 
them, would be vain and fruitlefs ; of th??fe we would naturally in? 
quire, whether any attempt has ever been made, on which they ground 
their opinions, and if not, why fome experi ment has not been Iried, 
prior tothis period. and why have they not come forward with their la* 
hours in their hands, to prove the "ruth of thefe afiertions. Since how 
ever this is not the cafe, certainly I may be allowed to give my humble 
opinion, which is, that I do not yet confider their cafe fo hapelefs, as 
to prevent fometbing befog done, and I tn>'l J may aifd he--aHo'wfcd the 
indulgence to obferve, that havi g a tolerable knowledge boih 
of the hab'ts, and difpofitions of the Fndians.f And having 
confuked with fome of the moft enlighten ed part of the community 
on the fubjeS, which cdtitirfia me in my opinion, that were 
they taught to read, or write on Eke ne>* prmcrpU I have had the ho- 
nour to lay before the Inhabitants :£ this town, either in the charac- 
ters of their own language, or the Enalifh, and the true principles ot 
chtiftianity inculcated, th.» mod beneficial effects might he produced 
fa r beyond our moil fanguine expectations ; for by increasing their 
knowledge, is to increafe their wants, and thefe cannot he fnpp'ied 
without hone it mduftrv, as the means by which they were formerly, ia- 
tisfiid by the chafe a»e entirely exhauft^d 

While they could t ven obain a fcanty livelihood by fifh'ncy and foot- 
ing, drunkennefs in the men Was "' confidered criminal, and they we r c 
treated with contempt by their more tern penile companions, and in- 
continence in either, particularly the wo~en xvas rarely bhvn, hut 
now jjnee their fuftenance ha..* became more precarious, crimes of t!vo 
|iature are committed with impunity by both femes', and both are no w 
frequently ken wallowing in their own filth in the open face of day ia 
the public ftreets, and (till the whole blame is attributed to themfelves 

*The name of has On fas, mill be ever held In eSimaihn for hh zeal and 
.Integrity h behalf of the poor Indians. 

jThs account %i%en by Columbus Jo Ferdinand and IfdheVi of the c'lfgn- 
Jl lions of feme of the Indians hyery Jtnfkingi <£ tt^ people he objerves are 
" f° *jfc8ionate>fo tradable, and fo peaceable that I J wear ta your High-] 
p nejft* thai there is not abetter race of men. They love their nf^hbouy 
r as themf elves : their converfalion is the fzueetefl and mihlcjl in the sierltf . 
H c^eerjul and a i ways accompanied vmh a jmik ** 



6 



and to their natu^.I prcpen&tie3 i (to Come of the Magilt rates I weald 
fain addrefs myfelf.) 

Were we permitted to illuftrate this point, we might obferve, that 
man while in a (late of nature is as temperate as any of the brute crea- 
tion, few of whom will ever drink more than is fulHcient to quench 
thirft, and that of the pure dream, and as the animal called the monkey 
bears the ftrongdi reftmblance to man, both in his habits and appear- 
ance, we mail earneniy contend, that the monkey will not get drunk 
unlefs he fees an example, and liquor is put in his way, but would the 
owner of fuch an animal attach blame to the poor brute, while he hirn- 
felf was in the habit of drinking, and leaving liquor in his way, cer- 
tainly not ; then why are the Indians more culpable, who may be faid 
to be ftill in a ftate of nature, but who are driven to dsfperation and 
drunkennefs in confequence of being deprived of t' s eironly fupport by 
the deftru&ion of the wil l animals the objects of their purfuit. and no 
otherprovifion made for them by thofe who have deprived them of thofe 
advantages, and they certainly appear to have imbibed the vice ef 
the lower order of the Colonifts, aid none of the virtues peculiar to 
the enlightened giinds of thofe in the fupcrxor fituations in life, with 
whom they never can arTociate. 

The words of Robertfon the Historian are as follows when treating 
on the Aborigines of this country " The people of North Ameri- 
ca, when Br ft difcovered, were not acquainted with any intoxicating 
drink; but as the Europeans eavlv found it their tntereft to fuppfy them 
with fpirituous liquors, drurfkar&nefe foon became aa univerfal among 
Jfchem, as among their countrymen to the fouth."* 

Numerous in&ances of great cruelty might be adduced, were we not 
bound in fome meafure (for the fake of our national character) to con- 
ceal them, the following fafts however derived from the moil: unquef- 
tionahle authority I feel it my duty to ftate. 

Some Indians who refined fome years ago on the (hore nenrPi<Sou, 
fuoported themfelves chiefly by nihing, but the-Colonifti, finding that 
great advantages were to be gained by obtaining the fituation, appli- 

'fCooi the celebrated Commrdian once in his cups , gave great umbargs f§ 
the Inhabitants of Liverpool in England by telling them, that the very 
walls of ike Theatre in which he was performing kit favourite part, was 
cemenicd with the blood nf the Staves. 

If this moji f acred iruth was d dared by him while in a flaie of tnelru 
ety, may I not with much greater propriety while in my fober femes ; de- 
dare to yon — Oh ! ye venders of fpirits, in Nova-Scotia, that the plaifler 
of your boufts(i) have been mot/led with the precious bipod of Indians* 
Oh I could wijh the time might be, 
That wealth might give the place to worth. 
That pride fhould yield te i>iety ; 
And gold no more be prized on earth, 

[ I yikc houfi are generally built of wood and plaflured in the infM* 



?A for ft grant of the fpot, which they readily (jhtained, and the poor 
feyages were of ccurft expelled, thev then rttired to Truro, from 
wheace they were agsin driven under limilar circumftances r they then 
went to Marigamifh, when they were a third time difplaced. 

I am informed by a refpeclable perfon who reiided a few years ago 

at Y ? that at Salmon River 8 miles from that town lived Paul an 

£ged Indian, who had cultivated a fpot cf ground, fo well and who ap- 
peared- fo comfortable, as to excite the admiration of fome,and the en- 
vy of others of the furrcunding Inhabitants for fomc years, and will 
poflerity believe that fome perfons who would feel highly indignant, 
were you to deny them theJiuIe of Chriitians fought with great deli-. 
get:ee to deprive him of this fpet by going fo Halifax in order to ob- 
tain a grant of it from Government, and thereby to rob him of his 
beautiful garden whtn they might have obtained hundreds of acres 
tlfe where. 

Does not Cbriitianity blufh for fuch adherents, cr rather does not 
numanity fhttddcr at a£is like thefe. 

Such cruelties as thefe have frequently been exercifed, and which 
certainly entitle them to the corn pafnon of the tender hearted christian, 
and who among you who poScfs a fpark of human kmdnefs can refrain 
from fhedding attar of fympathy>and exclaim in the words of fcripture. 
c *Havewcnot oneFathcr,hath not oneGod createdus ; who make th thee 
todiffcrfrom anothcr,and arc we not told thatGod mademanin his own 
image and has God granted the blefiing3 of Chriftianity to ue Britons, 
that we mould be thug Lords over the lives and properties of the sa. 
vagefiwhoat prefent are comparatively more innocent than ourfelves* 
No ! the grand purpofes of Divine Providence are becoming every day 
mere evident in the difcovery of this and other parts of the Globe* 
that the Gofpel fhould be introduced among all nations, and the extra- 
ordinary exertions^f the focietits cornpofed of the virtuous part of the 
nobility, and other refpeftable inhabitants of Great Britain in the dif- 
emination of the Bible in all languages, and the inffruclion^ «f youth 
to receive the facred truth, are ftrong indications of the fulfilment in 
part of the promifes " when all the ends of the world fhall remtmber 
themfelves,and be turned unto the Lot d, and all kindred of the nations 
worfhip before him." 

Then dare we any longer prefume to offend againll that God whole 
came we bear by calling ourfelves chriftians, while many of us mow by 
cu*- example that we are even unworthy of the name of Pagans, to 
whom we as Britons are indebted for many of our invaluable civil pri. 
viledgea. 

Hiftory tf lis us that the favage ftate of our anceflors was calculated 
rather to infpire terror than to excite love or refped, and although 
their lives were fimple, yet they were marked with cruelty and fiercc- 
nefi ; their ccurage was great 3 but neither dignified by mercy nor 
perfeverance, this appears to be the moft impartial account given, and 
l 7.'bUh bears a flrong refcrnbtencs to the one given cf the Aberigmes 



of this country, (i»:t althbiigh we car; not discover aay thing amiable ii 
live ch, -uraAer of either nations, yet we ^ind that the Romans who 
wrere Pagans, and who wor (hipped the falfc Deities, fo far from treat- 
ing the int.iihita^ ts of the conquered Provinces with contempt, they 
with great care endeavoured to introduce the religion, drefs and habits 
of Rorne* fo much fo t - that in a fhort time many of the nations which 
they had fubjugated by their arms, appeared to be Romans, and by 
mtermarryitig with the natives, the greateft and moft formidable prcjuv 
dfices were thereby removed. 

Thus the Roman Empire acquired their vafl formidabla ftrengtfc, 
and became invulnerable at home \ their rivals the Carthegenians dif« 
darning- it, fell an eafy facrifice to the firft idvafion. 

Heuce we find that from the time of Tiberius, the Britons began 
to improve in all the arts which contribute to the advancement of hu- 
man nature, until by degrees, wc fee them the moft powerful, and the 
molt opulent, nation on the face of the globe, as they are at prefent, 
and can we inhabitants of Nova Scotia their defcendants, who call our* 
felves Chrillians, and who afrecl to worfli'p the only true and living 
God, be fo blind to ou? own interefts,and thofe of our fellow creatures 
as by onr negleft to fuffer the total extirpation of the conquered. I 
fay cau vve expect the divine blemag on ourfelves and our pofterity, 
and have we not reafon rather to fear, that the denunciations of oar 
Maker will be fulfilled, viz. that he will vifit the fins of the father upon 
the third and fourth generation, and have we not innumerable proofs 
in faered and profane hiftory of great national fins, having in all ages 5 * 
drawn down upon the inhabitants who committed them, the moft dread* 
ful national calamities, and which cannot be more emphatically, de- 
scribed than in the words of Cowper, rft vol. 
" But that effeminacy, folly, luiV 
Enervate and enfeeble, and needs muff,' 

And that a nation (hamefully debalcd % 
Will be defpifed and trampled on at lait, 
Unleis fweet penitence her powers renew, 
Is truth, if hiftory be true. 

There is a time, and ju&ice mark* the date, 
For long for-bearing clemency to wait ; 
That hour elapfed. the incurable revolt 
Is puniihed, and down comes the thunderbolt : 
If mtrcf ihm put by the threatening blow, 
Mnft (he perform the fame kind office now ; 
May Ike ! and, if offended heaven be dill 
Acceffiblc, aodpvayer prevail, (he will, 
'Tis not however infolence and noife, 
Tae ternpeft of tumultuary joys, 
Nor i& it yet defpondence and difmay 
Will win hervifits or engage her ftay ; 
Prayer only, and ;he penitential tear, 



9 

Can call her failing down and fix her here. 

But when a country (one that I could name) 

la pr^ftitution finks the fenfe of (hame ; « 

When iafamoufc vcnalty, grows bold # 

Writes 01 his bofom, i§ be Ui or fold ; 

When perjury, that heaven, defying vice, 

Sella oaths by tale, and at the loweft price, 

Stamps God's own name upon a lie jirft made* 

To turn a penny in a way of trade ; 

When averke ftarves (and never hides his face) 

Two or three millions of the human race, 

And not a tongue inquires, how, where, or when, 

Though eonfeience will hare twinges now and then ; 

When profanatioi of thefacred caufc 

la all its parts, times, miniftry, and laws, 

Bcfpcaks aland, onccchriftian fallen aad loft, 

In ail that wars againft that title mo8j 

What follows next let cities of great name, 

And regions long fince defolate proclaim, 

Ninevah, Babylon, and ancient Rome 

Speak to the prefent times and things to come 5 

They cry aloud in crery carelefs car, 

Stop, while you may ; fufpend your mad career ; 

O Itarn from our example and our fate, 

Learn wifdom and repentance ere toolate. 

Not only vice difpofes and prepares 
The mind, that (lumbers fwcetly in her fnaret, 
To ftoop to tyranny's ufurped command, 
And bend her polifhed neck beneath his hand* 
(A dire effeft, by one of natures laws 
Unchangeably connected witkits caufe :) 
But Providence himfelf will intervene 
To throw his dark difpleafure o'er thefcene, 
All are his inftruments ; each form of war, 
What burns at home, or threatens from afar, 
Nature in arms, her elements at ftrife, 
The ftorms, that overfet the joys of life, 
Are but his rods to fcourge a guilty land, 
And wafte it at the bidding of his hand. 
He gives the word and mutiny foon roara 
In all her gates and (hakes her diftant fhorea V 
The ftandards of all nations are unfuri'd ; 
She has one foe, aad that one foe the world. 
And if he doom that people with a frown, 
And mark them with a feal of wrath pufhed down, 
Obduracy takes place ; callous and tough, 
The reprobated race grows judgment proof : 
Earth {hakes beneath them aad heart n r#ars above ; 



Silt nothing fcjft%0 them from the courfg they iove p 

To the laci visa* pipe and wanton fong, 

That charm down fear, they frolic it along, 

With mad rapidity aa<£ unconcern, 

Dow a to the gulph, from which is lid return* 

They cnift in navies and their navies fail — 

God's enrfe can caft away ten thoufand fail f 

They imft in armies, and their courage dies j 

In wifdom, wealth, in fortune, and in lies ; 

But all they "truft in withers as it mud, 

When he command'-, in whom they place no trull, 

Vengeance a: laft pours down upon their coati 

A long deipifed, hut now victorious, bail ; 

Tyranny fends the chain, that Ritfft abridge 

l ? hc noble fweep of all their priviledge y 
- Gives liberty the la ft, the mortal (hock ; 

Slips the flayes collar on, and fnaps the lock. 
Iliave not the flighted doubt, but that the dreadful calamities no*? 
experienced in Spain and Portugal are the fulfilment in- part of the 
ihreatnings of God for the cruel treatment of the Indians of South 
America, and this i« acknowledged by many of the inhabitants of 
^he Peninfula and not unfrequeotly in my hearings while I was ferr- 
itig with the Britifh Army under Marquis Wellington. 

I however admit that it will require no fmall degree of wifdom to a- 
dopt apian for the effectual, or even partial Telief of the objects in 
queftion, but fo me thing (hoird, you fomething muft actually be done, 
and done immediately, otherwife the total extinction of the Indiana, 
of this Province, will be the innevitable conftquence of delay. 

I (hall therefore rooft humbly offer a few obfei vations on thofe 
points which I conceive are the gfeateft barriers to any plan that may 
be offered for their benefit, and the grand qualities ncceffary to the 
accomplishment of the objure!, in thofe who undertake it is an entire 
confidence in the power, and a total dependence on the great difpofer 
of all events, for wifdom, patience and a (ready perfeveranee. 

The great difficulty in my humble opinion is the jealoufy and ha- 
tred which the Indians have naturally imbibed from the firft fettlement* 
or invafion of their territory, by the Europeans, and which perhaps if 
removed, would pave t 1 e way not only to an entire leconciliaiion, but 
vould tend to fave Britifh America from every apprehenfion of dan- 
ger from external foes ; for mould the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia a- 
dopt meafure3 fo important, as to conciliate the affections of the Indi- 
ans of this Province however contemptable this nation may now ap- 
pear to us, yet we muft conclude, that if we prove fuccefsfu! under 
Divine Providence, other Britifh Inhabitants of the adjoining Provin- 
ces would follow our example and it is to be hoped, that at no dirHnt 
period we may obtain both their alliance and friendship, while we 
art now compelled to purchafe the former by the dirninithing our fi* 



a 

ninctt, and without feeuring effectually the latter, and the*e never 
could have been a period when a thorough ret onciliation was more 
trgently demanded) by all the circiiffiftahces of the war with the U« 
State*, or could it at any other period appear with more fajutary infill 
ence, and furely the gallantry and esti aordinary fucccffes of the Indi- 
ans again ft our inveterate Foes ia Upper Canada., entitle them to cur 
unfeigned gratitude andefteem, 

It might not be political at the prefent period to enter into a fong 
diiTcrtation on the propriety of putting arms indiscriminately into the 
bands of various tribes of fay age 8, whole alliance (we arc told by hjftori- 
aas) is only to be obtained by bribery, and who when fluflied witb 
victory often treat with contempt thofe of their European allies whom 
they farcy have not achieved fo much as thcmfclves either from the 
want of numbers, oi other canfe?, and we know that the condition of 
man in the favage flate has a tendency to check the exercife of affec- 
tion, and to render the heart contracted, and confeicus kow little 
he depends on other men he is apt to view them with a careleii indif- 
ference. If a favor is conferred upon him, he receives it with much 
fa tisfaaioii, beeaufe it contributes torus fupport or enjoyment, but 
fchis excites no feuU cf obligation, he neither feels gratitude nor thinks 
of making any return, and as art or cunning have been univerfaily ob- 
ferved as dulinguifhirg eba.ra&eriftjes ©fall fay age?* the people of the 
rude tribes cf America are remarkable for their addrefs and duplicity. 

Impenetrably fecret in forming the"r me a fu res, they purfue them 
with a patient nndeviating attention, and there is no refinement of 
difiimulation which they cannot employ, in order to infure their fuc- 
cefe, and it is impoffible to penetrate into their intentions, or to de- 
teel their defigns, thus they may be conWered meft dangerous cne* 
::r'cs or invaluable allies. If thfa representation of tkeii character be 
t< ae,heuce it follows that nothing but theinculcation rr virtuous prinei* 
T j I tr s can removethe evihandthis can only be dojDe by firft endeavouring 
to point out to them by ever)' pcfUble m-eens, tht advantages of E« 
d uaation, of pure and undented religion,. and ths comforts of civilU 
zed fociety, could we is cure thofe mo ft important cbjeds, the work 
h done, the timple procefs of teaching on the new principle is very 
amuiiiig and eaiily acquired.'*' and their friendfhip is thereby at once 
f;Kcd and fettled, nay they would love and ever adore the objects of 
their deliverance from, a (late of ignorance and brutality, even more to 
be lamented than (livery. 

lam therefore of opinion that a public eft.ablifhment on liberal pria> 
cjpies, and well conduced, would in the end contribute more to the 
fafety of this and other colonies, than any other p^ans hitherto adopt* 
ed by the legiflaturc, and I doubt not. but that many Indians who 
would now take fright at the fight of a work houfe and would rather 

The authsr has already made fzvtral trials in teaching the alphabet t 9 
the Indians , by means of a nezv invented telegraphy and ht Jinds them re* 
markably quick and Intelligent, 



perim than enter its doors, might readily be prevailed on to accept 
iccoramodatioii it an afylwm, where they might be clothed, fed and c- 
dsoatcd, for a certain time particularly if a public fchool could be efta- 
blimcd under the fame roof, for the children of the white inhabitants* 
and the building mould have as little the appearance of a prifon either 
internally or externally as poffible, this would remove fufpicion, & iafure 
their confidence, which as I before obferved, is the greateft impediment 
to the fulfilment of our wifhes. T think Ihfar fome perfoa here ex- 
clain,— I am fure I would not fuffer my child to be educated under 
the fame roof with an Indian, perhaps not, but whoever you are, proba- 
bly there are others who would, indeed it refle&s the greatell difgrace 
on fome of the inhabitants of this town, who to my knowledge, will 
not allow their children to be educated with the coloured people, by 
which means the poor black or tawny is entirely deprived the privi- 
ledge of learning to read his bible or of writing a letter to his parents ; 
and I was informed by a particular friend who lately arrived from the 
Weft Indies, that he had applied (a few weeks ago) to feveral teach- 
ers for admifibn to his Mulatto boy (a Save) in fome one ©f thdr 
fchools, but who was however refufed for the above rrafon. 

This I think is one of the morl cruel, the moll ebominable preju- 
dices that could poffibly exift, and certainly does not exiit either im 
England or Canada, and I have to allure you that I was educated in 
a boarding fchool in Yorkfnire, where there were feveral Mulatto 9 ? 
from the Weft Indies, who were treated in the fame manner as the b- 
fcher boys, and who cat and drank at the fame table yet to the bed of 
my recollection not one of the whites became tawny 's, except that fome 
©f them rather inclined to that tinge during the fumrner feafon while 
playing at cricket cr fives in the heat of the fun without their hats, in 
company perhaps with Jbme of their tranfatlantic curly headed com- 
panions. 

This idea is fo abfurd, fo ridiculous, fo Wlcted, that nothing eat 
exceed it, and proves to a derr.onrtrationjthat much remains to be dors 
in this Province, indeed any parent who pofiefles thofc barbarous idea?* 
may with great propriety be ranked with the fav?g», aad could we as- 
certain the fa&, it coybtlffs would appear, that the children of thofe 
uncultivated parents are not a bit beuer than the Indian boys, and 
that they arc only taught the name of God to fvvear by» like Jack 
Wild who was tranfported a fliort time *go to Botany Bay at a -very 
early age far picking pockets, and wbo never had been informed by 
his parents or ethers that dealing was a crime, until he heard of il for 
the *rft time when the Judge paSed frntence upon him, and who ve- 
ry gravely remarked, that had it not been for his youth he certainly 
would have been hanged. 

! have much more to fay to many parents of this defcription in 
Halifax in the lower fituations of life to whom I mod earneftly recom- 
mend the newfytlem of education forthemfel*v8,tg it is neither difficult, 
tirefonae or inapplicable to the capaci-y of prrfons tdvincerl in years, 



I mu ft however remark that thi^drcutsftsnfc reminds me of the 
Fable of the horfe and the g»ofe, which la few days age found in ray 
little fon's book. 

A goofe who was plucking grafs upon a conmon, thought herfelf 
affronted by a horfe who fed pear her, a*d in bilung accents thus sd« 
dreffed bins, " I am certainly a more noble snd perfect animal than 
yau, for the whole range and eytent of your facuuica is eoiirtned in 
one fitment- I can walk upon the ground as well as you ; I have 
beGdes, wings, with which I can raife myfeif in the air ; and when I 
pleafe I can fport in ponds and !*kes, and refrejfh myfeif in the cool 
waters; I enjoy the different powers of a bird,* fiih»aod a quadruped. 

The horfe fn or ting fomewhat difdainfiilly replied, '* It is true yen 
inhabit three elements, but you make no diftinguifhed figure in any 
one of thern. You fly indeed, but your flight is fo heavy chamfy 
♦hat ycu have no right to put ycurfelf ©n a level with the Lark or tlie 
Swallow. You can fwuri on the fuvface of the waters, but you can- 
not live in thern £3 fifties do ; ycu cannot find your food in that cle- 
ment, nor glide fmoothlj along the bottom of the waves, and when 
you walk, or rather Wfddle upon the ground, with your broad fett, 
Mid your long neck ft retched out, biffing at every cut wlip paiTes by, 
you biing upon yourfelf the der-fion of all bt holders. 

I cenfefs that I am only formed to move upon the grpnnd, but how 
peaceful is my make, how v ell turret) my limbs 1 how highly iniSn d 
my whole body ! how great my firength 1 hovr aMoniihingly tfij 
fpeed ! and although I am black, I aws frequently cholen for my 
colour, a»d would fell for £ J&ur.dred times as much sno«icy as a white 
Gcofe, and I had rather be confined to one element and be admired 
ip that, than be a Goofe in all. 

But to return to my fubje&. The Indians have Dejsn frequently 
implied en by the fett er ; and others, fo that we i ctd not wonder at 
their fhynefr, and although lean prove that the h cnefiy of thefe in. 
cffe&five poor creatures is. in prenetal proverbial throughout the Pso- 
vince, {till the inhabitants of Halifax ha^ve imbibed an idea fume how 
or other that they are not to be truftcd, thus the je^loufy is mutUDl^ 
a- :\ everyday renewed, and we are not u> mmcauatnted with hums* 
$&&x2 ~s to fu pofe t at thefe itnfjrvoiferabk impreffions will readily 
iubfide — for inftance, if you :*fufc conn knee to your friend even in 
• he common transactions of lift, and he his penetration enough to 
difccTer it in your manner*, or that ycu even m-Ae known to £012? 
fervant that you fufpeS him, end confeqiienrii cannot truft b ; m with 
your property, you run a very great rife of ma bug an enemy of both, 
wuh the additional chance of being robbed by the fervant— it is hn- 
men nature, and imprejGoiis pf ?b;s kind are Common to m all* 

flsfanf Uflsnces may be ghctm / iie hontjly of the IrJlans, 'wtigtt 
r6$ --nd plunder the fetikn nj'ih impunity iuere thty inclinsd fo fo &, at 
4 ht woods of Nova-S: ei'ia afford .hem every tfip -rtuniiy. Three years 
\vo I ejftfjid in fxryeyrj tsygrdnt of hrxi near Btfeikp me&Mpany wtk 



I mould therefor? propofe, as the breach is fo wide, that every 
poffible inducement be held out to the Indians, and that a Committee 
of Gentlemen be aooointed to confult on the b?ft mode oi relieving 
them. 

When we calculate the immenfe furcs that are daily contributed by 
the benevolent part of the community, and the allowances that are 
diftributed under the direction of His Excellency the Governor, thro* 
the Secretary of the Province, which to the former is become a ferious 
and bui thenfome tax, when I fay we confider the amount of contribu- 
tionson a moderate c. loula\ : cn, and the little good that is produced fev 
thefemeans particularly when the money is generally fpent in fpirits, 
(nor can it be otherwife, where a regular fytlem is not adopted, fo as 
to prevent impofition by individuals) ; 1 am therefore decidedly of 
opinion, that if an A fylum were eftablifhed, and the new fvflem of 
education introduced, where their common want3 could be fupplied, 
and that a law of the Province or even an injunction rcere laid or. the 
:nhabitants,that no Indian mould receive charity out of this Inftitution 
it would at once clear the inhabitants of every refponfibility, and the 
blood of the Indians would no longer remain on their heads, ?nd the 
Imall Turns, which they are now in the habit of giving, if coafofidated, 
would be more than fufficicnt to defray the expenees of the propofed 
Afylumu 

And I do fmcerely hope thf.t the honourable Houfe of Affembiy 
will not withhold itsfupport, and that the I^ritifh Legiflarure will not 
treat with indifference the i eprefenmions made from this country* 
a ad judging from the acquaintance I have had t!ue honor of making 
with the members of various focieties in the metropolis or G. Britain, 
I can promife the moil cardial fupport to any undertaking of luch es- 
IraoitJinary importance to fociety at large, asalfofrom fevtral diftin- 
guifhed character* in the United Kingdoms, with whole friendfhip I 
have been recently honoured. 

To yoii females, virtuous females I now appeal with a degree of 
confidence^ can your tender hearts remain unmored at the deplorable 
fituation of your own kx ? recolkcx that the change of fituation snd 

f ?? ry intc/iijeni farmer, bor-. in Nova- Scotia and having forne rcfreJftmenH 
k» h us we partook of a tart by ihe fde *f a brpokiand my friend the farmer 
S&be ts a Deputy Survey tr lefl iht remainder on thi Jpot until our re- 
turn and hung a drinking cup on the branch of a tree. On my obfirving 
that in the evenl of an Indian pacing tiat way we mi^ht loft cir proper^ 
«v replied certainly not by the Indian.* > but ffcould any of th^ British 
J sitters difc <ver it was an hundred chances to one if wcevepfo&o it a* 
gain for h* added that Indians w+nld not ftcal until reduced to the greatefi 
extremity by hunger , and when they did y thy only took fuch fmall aw mail 
as were Qtcejfary to fufifify their immediate and neceffary wants y in which , 
cafe after devouring an animal \they weald frequently mahe known the cir - 
cumfiance to the owner , and repay lim by their labsur ly cutting wood \&r* 



*5 

eircamftanccs alone hii made you to differ with the Indian S^uav?* 
and you are both equal in the fight of that God who created every 
living creature upon the face of the earth. 

But vour's is an enviable fit ua'tion— born and educated in a land 
where the cheering and animating influence of Ghriftjanity hai dii- 
pclled the gloom ot fwperftition and idolatry, you are by it* powerful 
effects raifed to your proper elevation and influence* only known an£ 
enjoyed where Chriftianity reigns. Oh, may you feel your obliga- 
tions to that G^fpel* by endeavouring to refcue fuch of your own fex, 
whofe mifery, wretchednefs and pollution caufe the faftidious hand 
and heart of falfe fcufibiiity to fhrink from and decline the glorious 
talk, faying, be ft warmed, be ye filled, notwithstanding ye give them 
not thofe things which are nteeffary to their comfort,- what doth it 
profit. 

Confide* the poor forlorn ragged Indian, contribute every means in 
your power to refcae her from deftrufifiori, and God will abundantly 
reward you not only in the next world, but in this an hundred fold. 

In fiue, let every Patriot, Philantropift and Chriftian hear the loud 
call to extend mercy to the miferable, wretched and forlorn Indian's. 
Let not the cold indolent a^d cruel calculations of a falfe fenrfibilsty 
draw your attention from thofe effentia! duties and principles of 
Chriftianity, in attending to the morals and neceffitiea of fo many 
precious fouls who are not only perifhmg themfelve-s, but drawing 
others to the dreadful precipice of deftruSion. 

I now ciofe my addrefs with the mo ft profound refpeel, trufting 
that there may be fome individuals here whofe generous fouls harmon* 
ize with thefe my feeble efforts, — that they will unite their endeav- 
ours to deliver Nova- Scotia from fo foul f fo deep a ftain r and that the 
page of hiftory may not be blackened with the faered truths I have 
this evening fo imperfedlly delivered.— ^-Trufting to the liberality and 
candour of many preient, with whom I have lived on terms of unin- 
terrupted harmony for fome years, and to others whoie character for 
benevolence I truly appreciate altho' not perfonally known to them, I 
take my leave with a degree of confidence that they will pardon any 
hafty conclufions I may have thrown out and attribute it to the na- 
tural warmth of oce, whofe very foul burns with zeal in the caufe he 
hasefpoufed, and the words of the infpircd writers are thefe, u what 
thine handSndtth to do, do it with all thy might: for there is no work 
or device, nor knowledge, nor wifdom in the grave wither thou go- 
eft," and again " in the morning fow thy feed, and in the evening 
withhold not thine hand/ 9 think on thefe things my friends, uevef 
fuffer them to efcape your msmory, until fomething is attempted- 
Let the year 1 8 i 3 be ever memorable, and held by the Indians as 
the anniverfary of the period cf their emancipation from a ftate 
worfe than flavery, and what a glorious idea that the inhabitants 
of Halifax will have had the fatisfa&ioa to fet the example to the 
other inhabitant* cf Britifh America. And I implore of you is 



i6 

the ns rnc v l:viac goodncts, to offer up your hearts and fouls in pray, 
errand r.ur*;.. ligation* iter the reformation of the riun^ generations of 
o«i* ow , t-.M&u» a» vrAl as the amelioration of the Indians, thefe ef- 
forts vr>ll n-l cnaoecptablc to HIM who is of purer eyes than to bc- 
liold iniquity with approbatioa, 

Thg obligations which lie upon Chrifiians to do good are very 
t : tfodc are his duty to Gor) as his ercator, and th« duty he 
o.ves to man as his brother. The motives to do good are many and 
fore&U; ifh :og every hour, the fhortoefs and uncertainty of 

— : % *o.tl can be faved in the otker world,— no good can be done 
£•» Kcavcn, life oaly afford this opportunity ; and the glory to 
which ttiofe w?0 be advanced in H%yen, who have been zealous in 
this world. The examples of thofe who have cone goad arc nume- 
rous The bck men that ever the world faw, were continually doing 
good— tije regard or doing gaod is immenfe — divine plcafure rifes in 
the heart, and peace prevades the confeieuce, What a reward to have 
the prayers of the poor, the good whites of the benevolent, and the 
approbation of our creator. 

To thofe alone of virtuous fame. 

Should monumental piles be given ; 

Wfaofe re&ittfde deferves ft name, 

Bdking well the book of Heaven. 
I however know that in this iaiperfecl (late of husuTi nature, there 
are many who will make an outcry, and fpeak evil againft me, But I 
know tb-t to hsve the approbation of my own confeience for fidelity* 
and to faffer for righteoufnefs fake, are more honourable, and carry 
with them more real advantages* than having all the applaufe*, and 
all the honours, which the men of the world can bellow. 

Era fa*— Preface, 6 th line laft paragraph for infinitive read " in- 
finite*. 5th page, 20th line, read, " of the Indians and having*'* 

&c. 6th page, 17th line, read, <s vices for vice" ; 25th line* read 

*« drihkeaaefs** for drunkardnefs ;4ift line, read " moifteaed ' for 

moiled. ytli page. 1 itk line, read "title" for little.— ~Sth page 

gtk Lin* of poetry, read " forbearing" for for-bearing. 




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life " / ^^fe-X « ^^fe* - ^ % 3SL 



